Riders of the Purple Sage · Chapter
The Mill-Wheel of Steers explained
Jane Withersteen faces the aftermath of the rustling of her red herd and the mysterious disappearance of her riders, suspecting church interference.
What happens
Jane Withersteen faces the aftermath of the rustling of her red herd and the mysterious disappearance of her riders, suspecting church interference. She confronts Lassiter, who offers his friendship but refuses to renounce his violent quest against the man who wronged Milly Erne. Jane, torn between her faith and her growing admiration for Lassiter, rides out with him to observe her white herd, which appears restless and possibly bolting.
Themes in this chapter
Individual vs. Community
Jane defies her church and community by refusing to marry a Mormon and by aiding Gentiles, while Lassiter's personal vendetta sets him against the Mormon establishment.
Justice and Vengeance
Lassiter's quest to kill the man who wronged Milly Erne embodies a personal, violent form of justice that clashes with Jane's desire for peace.
Gender and Power
Jane uses her beauty and charm to try to influence Lassiter, reflecting the limited power available to women in a patriarchal society.
Characters to notice
- Jane Withersteen
Struggles with church pressure, loss of her herd, and her complex feelings toward Lassiter; she seeks to influence him through her womanly charm.
- Lassiter
Offers friendship to Jane but remains fixed on his mission of vengeance; his presence both fascinates and frightens her.
- Judkins
Returns wounded and reports the rustling of the red herd; hints that Jane's riders have been called in by church authorities.
- Venters
Mentioned as having departed on Wrangle to pursue the rustlers; Jane worries about his safety.
- Tull
Implied to be behind the calling-in of Jane's riders and the pressure on her to marry a Mormon.
- Milly Erne
Referenced as the woman Lassiter seeks to avenge; her tragic past motivates his quest.
Key passages
“Bishop, whom she had been taught had direct communication with God—would damn her soul for refusing to marry a Mormon.”
Jane believes the bishop, who she was taught speaks for God, would condemn her for not marrying a Mormon.
Highlights Jane's internal conflict between her faith and her personal choices.
“I reckon you'll hear no more such talk from me. Now, Miss Jane, I rode in to tell you that your herd of white steers is down on the slope behind them big ridges.”
Lassiter changes the subject and informs Jane that her white steers are on the slope beyond the ridges.
Shifts the conversation from Lassiter's vengeful talk to the immediate concern about the herd.
“If she could mitigate his hatred of Mormons, or at least keep him from killing more of them, not only would she be saving her people, but also be leading back this bloodspiller to some semblance of the human.”
Jane hopes to reduce Lassiter's hatred of Mormons and prevent further killings, thereby saving her people and redeeming him.
Reveals Jane's dual motive of protecting her community and reforming Lassiter.